The then stated that it is well understood by this council the views of Joseph in regard to setting up the kingdom in some place where we can exalt the standard and enjoy liberty. We have sent some men this spring and have learned considerable of the feelings of the Indians towards us, and the prospect is good. The is near finished and many of the brethren will no doubt receive their endowment this winter. We have contemplated sending a company west next spring, and this is what we want to take into consideration. It has been proved that there is not much difficulty in sending people beyond the mountains. We have designed sending them somewhere near the Great Salt Lake [p. [23]]
A potential western expedition had gained increased urgency in recent days. Church leaders had discussed the subject on 28 and 31 August 1845. (Clayton, Journal, 28 and 31 Aug. 1845; Richards, Journal, 28 and 31 Aug. 1845.)
Young’s statement was likely based on the recent publication of John C. Frémont’s report of his 1843–1844 exploration of Upper California and Oregon territory, which included surveying the area around the Great Salt Lake. In summarizing his report, the Nauvoo Neighbor similarly recorded that “the Rocky Mountains are shown to be not the formidable barriers supposed. Capt. F[rémont] crossed them at four different places—instead of being desolate and impassable they are shown to have many excellent passes, of which the South pass is the finest, and so embosom beautiful valleys, rivers, and parks, with lakes and mineral springs, rivalling and surpassing the most enchanting parts of the Alpine regions in Switzerland.” (“Western Mountains and Rivers on the Route to Oregon,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 17 Sept. 1845, [1].)